Hello. I picked up a nice Yamalink (+1.5mm version/10mm drop) for my YZ250 ('21). The price was alright and I am mostly curious about what it does. Just looking to experiment. The bike is setup great for me with Gold Valves front/rear and SDI spring perches up front too. 22mm Triple clamps. Feels amazing, handles amazing. Zero complaints. As I said, this is just an experiment. (inb4 "if it aint broke, fix it til it is")
Can someone give me some guidance on what to expect and what other adjustments to make to effectively test this part? I plan on setting sag and then just testing it as is at first on my base setting.
Fork height? Shock settings? What side effects will a lowering link cause that I should compensate for or be prepared to look for? Any experience is helpful. Thanks!
Set your sag with the stock link and ride a few laps to get a good baseline. Then swap links, re-set sag, and go out again. Don't change anything else. See if you like it or not. It's really that simple.
If you start making adjustments to compensate for the linkage, then you may as well just take it off and run stock. The point of a slightly longer link it not to lower the rear end (it does), but to rake out the front end, which will add some stability. Likely a good mod paired with 22 mm clamps on that bike.
Thank you. Would you think this is enough to alter spring rates?
I'll do my best to test them head to head like that and see what difference it makes. If I do not like the immediate results, would you advise against chasing settings? I don't see this as being worth it given that I think it feels great now.
No, you shouldn't need to change spring rates. The change in motion ratio is pretty small.
The only other thing you might test is also lowering the forks. This will bring the rake back to what it was, but you'd have a slightly lowered bike.
I’m at 2mm from the top of the outer tubes (fork caps not included).
What symptoms would indicate some fork adjustment is needed? Poor cornering/dull handling? Where would you “stop chasing”? Maybe go 7-10mm up?
thanks a ton man!!
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Don't overthink it...
1) Ride stock for a baseline.
2) Reset sag and ride with the link, no other changes. Did you like it better than stock?
3) Lower the forks about 5mm and ride again. Did you like that better than before? Better than stock?
Things to think about: how easily does it turn, was it more stable at speed, etc. Repeat as necessary to determine which you liked the best and stick with whatever that was. Maybe play with fork height from there if you want to keep trying things.
That’s a great plan to follow. Another option to test, is a sag taller than you had with stock link. Say you were stock link and 105mm, try 102-103mm with lower link.
Then after you change and do all those combinations go back to stock link and sag.
This is the best way to learn what all the changes do. But like you said in your original post, you need to be honest with yourself if you don’t like something. The biggest mistake I made when I was younger, was thinking that every part I put on was better than stock OEM. I learned to become no bias and try parts for what they are.
That’s how I’m running my KTM, I like it better in every way set up about 8mm lower front and rear than stock.
I like the approach. I'll keep it simple and concise and see how she feels. Appreciate you guys!
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